Schools, colleges asked to report cognisable offences to police immediately

Schools, colleges asked to report cognisable offences to police immediately Published – August 21, 2026 10: 15 pm IST – Madurai.

Key points

• According to The SP, madurai Collector, Nishant Krishna, called on authorities of Department of Education in which Commissioner of Police, S.
• Two incidents of cognisable offence were documented in two different schools in Viraganoor under Madurai District Police station limits in the last few days.
• Section 21 of the Act stipulates punishment for failure to report the commission of an offence.
• The complaint is that a 36-year-old male teacher was reportedly stalking a girl student.
• In the second incident, a few days back a sexual offence case was brought to knowledge of Madurai Collector.

In the first incident, a teenaged boy was seen repeatedly assaulting a junior boy and kicking him with a jump in the presence of a few teachers. The incident happened at a administration school. The teachers were apparently helpless but could only try to pacify the boy and could not prevent the assault.

For context, the incident came to public notice only after a video clipping of the assault was posted in the social media a few days after the incident took place.

In the second incident, a few days back a sexual offence case was brought to knowledge of Madurai Collector. It had taken place in 2025 in a private school, additionally in Viraganoor.

Notably, the complaint is that a 36-year-old male teacher was reportedly stalking a girl student. Despite some of the fellow students having taken it up with the school principal, the incident was not documented to the police.

Notably, an attempt by administration office-holders to enquire into the incident did not produce the desired result and consequently Oomachikulam police registered a case under POCSO Act and arrested the teacher.

Meanwhile, the principal was additionally booked for failing to report the case to the police.

"The duty of the head of the institution is to report to the police regarding any congisable offence happening on the school or college premises. With respect to offences under POCSO Act, the act itself mandates that anyone who has knowledge regarding such an offence should report the case to the police, " Superintendent of Police, N. Devanathan, remarked.

Section 21 of the Act stipulates punishment for failure to report the commission of an offence. The punishment could be imprisonment or fine or both.

According to The SP, madurai Collector, Nishant Krishna, called on authorities of Department of Education in which Commissioner of Police, S. Rajenthiran and Mr. Devanathan, discussed these incidents. The district administration has instructed heads of schools and colleges to promptly report to the police regarding any such cognisable offences occurring on their premises.

According to A police officer, prompt reporting of such offences would assist the police initiate immediate action and additionally prevent further escalation in such incidents.

For now, schools, colleges asked to report cognisable offences to police immediately remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.